Thornton, James K.

they had two children, James and Ken Thornton, both currently of Cedar Rapids. He served his country honorably as a Private First Class in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed at Fort Bliss. He worked for Rockwell Collins as an engineer for 29 years and later went to HWH Corporation in Moscow, Iowa, where he retired.

On June 9, 1984, he married Joyce C. Rinehart in Cedar Rapids. From this marriage he gained his stepchildren, BaBette Dolan of Cedar Rapids, Belinda Eglinger of Cummings, Ga., Byron (Josie) Pettibone of Yucaipa, Calif., and Erich (Carrie) Aschenbrenner of Cedar Rapids; stepgrandchildren, Adam, Austin, Ashley and Alexandrea Dolan, Ben and Nick Eglinger, Shannon, Shawnee and Abigail Pettibone, and Sean and Alec Ashenbrenner; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

He is also survived his brother, Bill Thornton; and sister, Susan.

Jim enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren, deer hunting in Appanoose County, researching his family history and collecting stamps and coins. He will forever be remembered for being a kind and generous man. He will be greatly missed and truly loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepson, Edward James Pettibone.

Memorials in Jim's honor may be directed to the Promise House or to the Huntington's disease Society of American Center of Excellence at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to Jim's family on the Web page, under Obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 15, 2012.